Method and system for optimizing operation of a pump

ABSTRACT

The disclosure describes systems and methods relating generally to filtration. Even more particularly, embodiments described herein relate to optimizing operating routines of a pump based on filter information and process fluid information. The filter information can be stored on an electronically readable tag on the filter.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure describes systems and methods relating generally tofiltration. Even more particularly, embodiments described herein relateto providing filters with filter information tags that can storeinformation used to determine the operation of a pump.

BACKGROUND

There are many applications for which precise control over the amountand/or rate at which a fluid is dispensed by a pumping apparatus isnecessary. In semiconductor processing, for example, it is important tocontrol the amount and rate at which photochemicals, such as photoresistchemicals, are applied to a semiconductor wafer. The coatings applied tosemiconductor wafers during processing typically require a uniformity ofthickness across the surface of the wafer that is measured in angstroms.The rates at which processing chemicals are applied to the wafer must becontrolled in order to ensure that the processing liquid is applieduniformly.

Many photochemicals used in the semiconductor industry today are veryexpensive, frequently costing upwards of $1000 a liter. Therefore, it ispreferable to ensure that chemical processing equipment is operatingcorrectly. Additionally, it is desirable to reduce the cycle time fordispensing fluid on a wafer.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for controllingthe operation of a pump using information about the filter connected tothe pump. One embodiment described herein can include a pump having oneor more motors to draw fluid into an inlet of the pump and dispensefluid from an outlet of the pump and a removable filter disposed betweenin a fluid flow path between the pump inlet and the pump outlet. Thepump can also include a pump controller configured to receive filterinformation, receive process fluid information, access a library ofoperating routines based on the filter information and a process fluidinformation to select an operating routine for the pump and operate thepump according to the selected operating routine. The selected operatingroutine can include a priming routine, a dispense cycle, selectedsegments of a dispense cycle of other routine.

Another embodiment can include a pump system having a pump and a pumpmanagement system. The pump can include one or more motors to draw fluidinto an inlet of the pump and dispense fluid from an outlet of the pump,a removable filter in a fluid flow path between the pump inlet and pumpoutlet, an electronic tag reader positioned and configured to read thefilter information from the electronic tag and a pump controller. Thepump controller can be coupled to the electronic tag reader andconfigured to receive filter information from the electronic tag reader,communicate the filter information over a communications link andcontrol operation of the pump to dispense a fluid. The pump managementsystem can be configured to receive the filter information from thepump, access a library of operating routines based on the filterinformation and a process fluid information to select an operatingroutine for the pump. The pump management system can communicate theselected operating routine to the pump controller.

Yet another embodiment can include a method for controlling operation ofa pump comprising connecting a removable filter to a pump, wherein theremovable filter has an electronic tag storing filter information;receiving the filter information for the removable filter from theelectronic tag using an electronic tag reader; accessing a library ofoperating routines based on the filter information and a fluid propertyof a process fluid to select an operating routine for the removablefilter and process fluid; and operating the pump according to theselected operating routine.

According to one embodiment, filter information can be stored in an RFIDtag and read by an RFID tag reader.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A more complete understanding of the embodiments and the advantagesthereof may be acquired by referring to the following description, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like referencenumbers indicate like features and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a portionof a semiconductor manufacturing system;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a multiple stage pump(“multi-stage pump”) according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 3 and 4A-4G are diagrammatic representations of valve and motortimings for various embodiments of dispense cycles;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a priming routine;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrammatic representations of one embodiment of apump;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a filterand a manifold;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a filter;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a valveassembly;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a pump andconnections;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a systemfor controlling operation of a pump;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating of one embodiment of a method foraffecting the operation of a pump using a filter information tag;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a methodfor optimizing priming of a pump;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of optimizinga dispense cycle for a pump;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a methodfor using filter information;

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a softwarearchitecture; and

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating decreased priming time through selectionof an optimal priming routine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereofare explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodimentsthat are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in thefollowing description. Descriptions of well known starting materials,processing techniques, components and equipment are omitted so as not tounnecessarily obscure the disclosure in detail. Skilled artisans shouldunderstand, however, that the detailed description and the specificexamples, while disclosing preferred embodiments, are given by way ofillustration only and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions,modifications, additions or rearrangements within the scope of theunderlying inventive concept(s) will become apparent to those skilled inthe art after reading this disclosure.

Various embodiments described herein are related to a pumping systemthat utilizes filter information to ensure proper operation of a pump.According to one embodiment, the filter information is stored in anelectronically readable tag that can be read by an appropriate tagreader. The filter information can be analyzed to determine properoperation of the pump.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a portionof a semiconductor manufacturing system 10 for dispensing fluid from afluid reservoir 15 onto a wafer 17. System 10 can also include a pumpcontroller 20 and pump 25. Pump controller 20 can be onboard pump 25 orconnected to pump 25 via a one or more communications links forcommunicating control signals, data or other information. Pumpcontroller 20 controls pump 25 to dispense fluid onto wafer 17. System10 can also include external valves such as a stop/suckback valve 27that can prevent dripping at the dispense nozzle.

Pump 25 includes a removable filter 35 that has electronically readablefilter information tag 40 containing filter information 45. Filterinformation 45 can include any information about filter 35 and otherinformation that can be stored in an electronically readable tag. A tagreader 50 to read filter information 45 from filter information tag 40and provide the information to pump controller 20, a system managementcomputer or other computer.

In one embodiment, filter information tag 40 can be an active or passiveRFID tag and tag reader 50 can be an RFID tag reader. In otherembodiments, filter information tag 40 can be a bar code or otheroptically readable code and tag reader 50 can be a bar code scanner orother scanner capable of reading tag 40.

Examples of filter information 45 include, but are not limited to, partnumber, design style, membrane type, retention rating, generation of thefilter, configuration of the filter membrane, lot number, serial number,a device flow, membrane thickness, membrane bubble point, particlequality, filter manufacturer quality information or other information.The design style indicates the type of pump for which the filter isdesigned, the capacity/size of the filter, amount of membrane materialin the filter or other information about the design of the filter. Themembrane type indicates the material and/or thickness of the membrane.The retention rating indicates the size of particles that can be removedwith a particular efficiency by the membrane. The generation of thefilter indicates whether the filter is a first, second, third or othergeneration of the filter design. The configuration of the filtermembrane indicates whether the filter is pleated, the type of pleatingor other information regarding the design of the membrane. The serialnumber provides the serial number of the individual filter. The lotnumber can specify the manufacturing lot of the filter or membrane. Thedevice flow indicates the flow rate the filter can handle while stillproducing good dispenses. The device flow can be determined duringmanufacture for the individual filter. The membrane bubble pointprovides another measure of the flow rates/pressure the filter canhandle and still produce good dispenses. The membrane bubble point canalso be determined during manufacture for the individual filter. Theabove examples are provided by way of explanation are not limiting ofthe information that can be contained in filter information 45.

Filter information 45 can include a part number that conveys a varietyof information. For example, each letter in the example part numberformat “Aabcdefgh” can convey a different piece of information. Table 1below provides an example of information conveyed by the part number:

TABLE 1 Letter Information Examples A Connectology a DesignStyle-Indicates the For IntelliGen Pump Filters: type of pump for whichthe P = wide body pump filter is designed. (IntelliGen1 or IntelliGen2)2 or M = IntelliGen3 or IntelliGen Mini Pump b Membrane Type-Type of A =thin UPE Membrane Used in Filter U = thick UPE S = asymmetric nylon andUPE or other combination) M = PCM (chemically modified UPE) N = nylon cRetention Rating G = 0.2 um V = 0.1 um Z = 0.05 um Y = 30 nm X = 20 nm T= 10 nm F = 5 nm K = 3 nm d Generation-generation of 0 = V1 filter 2 =V2 e RFID R = RFID f Pleat-Type of Pleating 0 = Standard Used in FilterM = M pleat g Where O-Ring is Located 0 = OM K = Karlez E = EPDM R =O-ringless h How Many Filters in a Box 1 = 1 per box 3 = 3 per box

Using the example of Table 1, the part number A2AT2RMR1 for an Impactpump filter would indicate that the connectology of the filter, thefilter is designed for an IntelliGen2 Pump (Impact and IntelliGen aretrademarks of Entegris, Inc. of Chaska, Minn.), the membrane is thinUPE, has a retention rating of 10 nm, the filter is a version 2 filter,the filter includes an RFID tag, the filter membrane has an M-pleat, thefilter is O-ringless and there is one filter per box. The use of a partnumber to convey information, however, is provided by way of example andfilter information can be conveyed in other manners.

In operation, filter 35 can be coupled to pump 25. Tag reader 50 readsfilter information 45 from tag 40 and communicates the filterinformation 45 to pump controller 20. Pump controller 20 processesfilter information 45 or passes the filter information 45 on to a pumpmanagement system (discussed below). Pump controller 20 can apply rulesto filter information 45 to determine whether and how to operate pump25. Additionally, pump controller 20 can adjust the operation of pump 25during a dispense cycle based on filter information 45.

Pump controller 20 (or other system) can also use filter information 45to correlate good or bad operations to filter characteristics. Duringoperation, pump controller 20 can track a variety of operational datafor pump 25. The information tracked by pump controller 20 can includeany operational parameters made available to controller 20 and anyinformation calculated by pump controller 20. Some nonlimiting examplesof operational data include pressure, parameters related to valveoperation, motor positions, motor speeds, hydraulic pressure or otherparameters (such as temperature if the pump includes temperaturesensors). This information can be used to determine whether the dispenseis/was a good dispense. This can be done after a dispense has occurredor in real time during the dispense cycle.

The operational data can be correlated to the filter information 45 sothat the effect of the various filter parameters on dispense quality canbe identified. As an example, pump controller 20 can record the lotnumber of a filter so that operational data of pump 25 can be correlatedto that lot. This information can be used to identify whether aparticular lot of filters produced better or worse results compared toanother lot of filters of the same design. Similarly, the serial numbercan be used to track operational data versus individual filter to helpdetermine if an individual filter was the cause of bad coatings. As yetanother example, operational data can be correlated to membrane bubblepoints to determine if filters having the same part number but differentmembrane bubble points had different dispense results. Recordinginformation from tag 40 and tracking information about dispenses canoptimize selection and even manufacture of filters.

Pump 25 can be any suitable pump including a single stage pump ormultiple stage (“multi-stage”) pump. FIG. 2 is a diagrammaticrepresentation of one embodiment of a multi-stage pump 25. Multi-stagepump 25 includes a feed stage portion 105 and a separate dispense stageportion 110. Located between feed stage portion 105 and dispense stageportion 110, from a fluid flow perspective, is filter 35 to filterimpurities from the process fluid. A number of valves can control fluidflow through multi-stage pump 25 including, for example, inlet valve125, isolation valve 130, barrier valve 135, purge valve 140, vent valve145 and outlet valve 147. Dispense stage portion 110 can further includea pressure sensor 112 that determines the pressure of fluid at dispensestage 110. The pressure determined by pressure sensor 112 can be used tocontrol the speed of the various pumps as described below. Examplepressure sensors include ceramic and polymer piezoresistive andcapacitive pressure sensors, including those manufactured by MetalluxAG, of Korb, Germany. According to one embodiment, the face of pressuresensor 112 that contacts the process fluid is a perfluoropolymer. Pump25 can include additional pressure sensors, such as a pressure sensor toread pressure in feed chamber 155, temperature sensors and othersensors.

Feed stage 105 and dispense stage 110 can include rolling diaphragmpumps to pump fluid in multi-stage pump 25. Feed-stage pump 150 (“feedpump 150”), for example, includes a feed chamber 155 to collect fluid, afeed stage diaphragm 160 to move within feed chamber 155 and displacefluid, a piston 165 to move feed stage diaphragm 160, a lead screw 170and a stepper motor 175. Lead screw 170 couples to stepper motor 175through a nut, gear or other mechanism for imparting energy from themotor to lead screw 170. According to one embodiment, feed motor 175rotates a nut that, in turn, rotates lead screw 170, causing piston 165to actuate. Dispense-stage pump 180 (“dispense pump 180”) can similarlyinclude a dispense chamber 185, a dispense stage diaphragm 190, a piston192, a lead screw 195, and a dispense motor 200. Dispense motor 200 candrive lead screw 195 through a threaded nut (e.g., a Torlon or othermaterial nut).

According to other embodiments, feed stage 105 and dispense stage 110can be a variety of other pumps including pneumatically or hydraulicallyactuated pumps, hydraulic pumps or other pumps. One example of amulti-stage pump using a pneumatically actuated pump for the feed stageand a stepper motor driven hydraulic pump is described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/051,576 entitled “PUMP CONTROLLER FOR PRECISIONPUMPING APPARATUS” by inventors Zagars et al., filed Feb. 4, 2005 nowissued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,476,087 on Jan. 13, 2009; hereby incorporatedby reference. The use of motors at both stages, however, provides anadvantage in that the hydraulic piping, control systems and fluids areeliminated, thereby reducing space and potential leaks. Examples ofmulti-stage pumps using motors in both the feed stage and dispense stageare provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/602,464 entitled“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A PUMP WITH REDUCED FORM FACTOR” by inventorsCedrone et al, filed Nov. 20, 2006; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/218,325 entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HIGH VISCOSITY PUMP” byinventors Cedrone et al, filed Jul. 14, 2008; which are hereby fullyincorporated by reference herein.

Feed motor 175 and dispense motor 200 can be any suitable motor.According to one embodiment, dispense motor 200 is a Permanent-MagnetSynchronous Motor (“PMSM”). The PMSM can be controlled by a digitalsignal processor (“DSP”) utilizing Field-Oriented Control (“FOC”) orother type of position/speed control known in the art at motor 200, acontroller onboard multi-stage pump 25 or a separate pump controller(e.g. as shown in FIG. 1). PMSM 200 can further include an encoder(e.g., a fine line rotary position encoder) for real time feedback ofdispense motor 200's position. The use of a position sensor givesaccurate and repeatable control of the position of piston 192, whichleads to accurate and repeatable control over fluid movements indispense chamber 185. For, example, using a 2000 line encoder, whichaccording to one embodiment gives 8000 pulses to the DSP, it is possibleto accurately measure to and control at 0.045 degrees of rotation. Inaddition, a PMSM can run at low velocities with little or no vibration.Feed motor 175 can also be a PMSM or a stepper motor. It should also benoted that the feed pump can include a home sensor to indicate when thefeed pump is in its home position.

During operation of multi-stage pump 25, the valves of multi-stage pump25 are opened or closed to allow or restrict fluid flow to variousportions of multi-stage pump 25. According to one embodiment, thesevalves can be pneumatically actuated (i.e., gas driven) diaphragm valvesthat open or close depending on whether pressure or a vacuum isasserted. All or some of the valves can also be other types of valves.

The following provides a summary of various stages of operation ofmulti-stage pump 25. However, multi-stage pump 25 can be controlledaccording to a variety of control schemes including, but not limited tothose described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/741,682entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESSURE COMPENSATION IN A PUMP” byInventors Cedrone et al., filed Dec. 2, 2005; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/502,729 entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FLUID FLOW CONTROLIN AN IMMERSION LITHOGRAPHY SYSTEM” by Inventors Clarke et al., filedAug. 11, 2006, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,443,483 on Oct. 28, 2008;U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/602,472, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHODFOR CORRECTING FOR PRESSURE VARIATIONS USING A MOTOR” by InventorsCedrone et al., filed Nov. 20, 2006; U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/292,559 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROL OF FLUID PRESSURE” byInventors Gonnella et al., filed Dec. 2, 2005; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/364,286 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING OPERATIONOF A PUMP” by Inventors Gonnella et al., filed Feb. 28, 2006; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/602,508, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FORPRESSURE COMPENSATION IN A PUMP” by Inventors Cedrone et al., filed Nov.20, 2006; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/602,449, entitled “I/OSYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR INTERFACING A PUMP CONTROLLER” byInventors Cedrone et al., filed Nov. 20, 2006; each of which is fullyincorporated by reference herein, to sequence valves and controlpressure.

According to one embodiment, multi-stage pump 25 can include a readysegment, dispense segment, fill segment, pre-filtration segment,filtration segment, vent segment, purge segment and static purgesegment. During the feed segment, inlet valve 125 is opened and feedstage pump 150 moves (e.g., pulls) feed stage diaphragm 160 to drawfluid into feed chamber 155. Once a sufficient amount of fluid hasfilled feed chamber 155, inlet valve 125 is closed. During thefiltration segment, feed-stage pump 150 moves feed stage diaphragm 160to displace fluid from feed chamber 155. Isolation valve 130 and barriervalve 135 are opened to allow fluid to flow through filter 35 todispense chamber 185. Isolation valve 130, according to one embodiment,can be opened first (e.g., in the “pre-filtration segment”) to allowpressure to build in filter 35 and then barrier valve 135 opened toallow fluid flow into dispense chamber 185. According to otherembodiments, both isolation valve 130 and barrier valve 135 can beopened and the feed pump moved to build pressure on the dispense side ofthe filter.

During the filtration segment, dispense pump 180 can be brought to itshome position. As described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/630,384, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A VARIABLE HOME POSITIONDISPENSE SYSTEM” by Layerdiere, et al. filed Nov. 23, 2004; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/666,124, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AVARIABLE HOME POSITION DISPENSE SYSTEM” by Layerdiere, et al. filed Sep.30, 2008; and PCT Application No. PCT/US2005/042127, entitled “SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR VARIABLE HOME POSITION DISPENSE SYSTEM”, by ApplicantEntegris, Inc. and Inventors Layerdiere et al., filed Nov. 21, 2005; allof which are hereby incorporated by reference, the home position of thedispense pump can be a position that gives the greatest available volumeat the dispense pump for the dispense cycle, but is less than themaximum available volume that the dispense pump could provide. The homeposition is selected based on various parameters for the dispense cycleto reduce unused hold up volume of multi-stage pump 25. Feed pump 150can similarly be brought to a home position that provides a volume thatis less than its maximum available volume.

At the beginning of the vent segment, isolation valve 130 is opened,barrier valve 135 closed and vent valve 145 opened. In anotherembodiment, barrier valve 135 can remain open during the vent segmentand close at the end of the vent segment. During this time, if barriervalve 135 is open, the pressure can be understood by the controllerbecause the pressure in the dispense chamber, which can be measured bypressure sensor 112, will be affected by the pressure in filter 35.Feed-stage pump 150 applies pressure to the fluid to remove air bubblesfrom filter 35 through open vent valve 145. Feed-stage pump 150 can becontrolled to cause venting to occur at a predefined rate, allowing forlonger vent times and lower vent rates, thereby allowing for accuratecontrol of the amount of vent waste. If feed pump is a pneumatic stylepump, a fluid flow restriction can be placed in the vent fluid path, andthe pneumatic pressure applied to feed pump can be increased ordecreased in order to maintain a “venting” set point pressure, givingsome control of an otherwise un-controlled method.

At the beginning of the purge segment, isolation valve 130 is closed,barrier valve 135, if it is open in the vent segment, is closed, ventvalve 145 closed, and purge valve 140 opened and inlet valve 125 opened.Dispense pump 180 applies pressure to the fluid in dispense chamber 185to vent air bubbles through purge valve 140. During the static purgesegment, dispense pump 180 is stopped, but purge valve 140 remains opento continue to vent air. Any excess fluid removed during the purge orstatic purge segments can be routed out of multi-stage pump 25 (e.g.,returned to the fluid source or discarded) or recycled to feed-stagepump 150. During the ready segment, inlet valve 125, isolation valve 130and barrier valve 135 can be opened and purge valve 140 closed so thatfeed-stage pump 150 can reach ambient pressure of the source (e.g., thesource bottle). According to other embodiments, all the valves can beclosed at the ready segment.

During the dispense segment, outlet valve 147 opens and dispense pump180 applies pressure to the fluid in dispense chamber 185. Becauseoutlet valve 147 may react to controls more slowly than dispense pump180, outlet valve 147 can be opened first and some predetermined periodof time later dispense motor 200 started. This prevents dispense pump180 from pushing fluid through a partially opened outlet valve 147.Moreover, this prevents fluid moving up the dispense nozzle caused bythe valve opening, followed by forward fluid motion caused by motoraction. In other embodiments, outlet valve 147 can be opened anddispense begun by dispense pump 180 simultaneously.

An additional suckback segment can be performed in which excess fluid inthe dispense nozzle is removed. During the suckback segment, outletvalve 147 can close and a secondary motor or vacuum can be used to suckexcess fluid out of the outlet nozzle. Alternatively, outlet valve 147can remain open and dispense motor 200 can be reversed to such fluidback into the dispense chamber. The suckback segment helps preventdripping of excess fluid onto the wafer.

Referring briefly to FIG. 3, this figure provides a diagrammaticrepresentation of valve and dispense motor timings for various segmentsof the operation of multi-stage pump 25 of FIG. 2. Other sequences areshown in FIGS. 4A-G. While several valves are shown as closingsimultaneously during segment changes, the closing of valves can betimed slightly apart (e.g., 100 milliseconds) to reduce pressure spikes.For example, between the vent and purge segment, isolation valve 130 canbe closed shortly before vent valve 145. It should be noted, however,other valve timings can be utilized in various embodiments.Additionally, several of the segments can be performed together (e.g.,the fill/dispense stages can be performed at the same time, in whichcase both the inlet and outlet valves can be open in the dispense/fillsegment). It should be further noted that specific segments do not haveto be repeated for each cycle. For example, the purge and static purgesegments may not be performed every cycle. Similarly, the vent segmentmay not be performed every cycle.

The opening and closing of various valves can cause pressure spikes inthe fluid within multi-stage pump 25. Because outlet valve 147 is closedduring the static purge segment, closing of purge valve 140 at the endof the static purge segment, for example, can cause a pressure increasein dispense chamber 185. This can occur because each valve may displacea small volume of fluid when it closes. More particularly, in many casesbefore a fluid is dispensed from chamber 185 a purge cycle and/or astatic purge cycle is used to purge air from dispense chamber 185 inorder to prevent sputtering or other perturbations in the dispense ofthe fluid from multi-stage pump 25. At the end of the static purgecycle, however, purge valve 140 closes in order to seal dispense chamber185 in preparation for the start of the dispense. As purge valve 140closes it forces a volume of extra fluid (approximately equal to thehold-up volume of purge valve 140) into dispense chamber 185, which, inturn, causes an increase in pressure of the fluid in dispense chamber185 above the baseline pressure intended for the dispense of the fluid.This excess pressure (above the baseline) may cause problems with asubsequent dispense of fluid. These problems are exacerbated in lowpressure applications, as the pressure increase caused by the closing ofpurge valve 140 may be a greater percentage of the baseline pressuredesirable for dispense.

More specifically, because of the pressure increase that occurs due tothe closing of purge valve 140 a “spitting” of fluid onto the wafer, adouble dispense or other undesirable fluid dynamics may occur during thesubsequent dispense segment if the pressure is not reduced.Additionally, as this pressure increase may not be constant duringoperation of multi-stage pump 25, these pressure increases may causevariations in the amount of fluid dispensed, or other characteristics ofthe dispense, during successive dispense segments. These variations inthe dispense may in turn cause an increase in wafer scrap and rework ofwafers. Various embodiments account for the pressure increase due tovarious valve closings within the system to achieve a desirable startingpressure for the beginning of the dispense segment, account fordiffering head pressures and other differences in equipment from systemto system by allowing almost any baseline pressure to be achieved indispense chamber 185 before a dispense.

In one embodiment, to account for unwanted pressure increases to thefluid in dispense chamber 185, during the static purge segment dispensemotor 200 may be reversed to back out piston 192 a predetermineddistance to compensate for any pressure increase caused by the closureof barrier valve 135, purge valve 140 and/or any other sources which maycause a pressure increase in dispense chamber 185.

Thus, embodiments described herein provide a multi-stage pump withgentle fluid handling characteristics. By compensating for pressurefluctuations in a dispense chamber before a dispense segment,potentially damaging pressure spikes can be avoided or mitigated.Embodiments of a multi-stage pump can also employ other pump controlmechanisms and valve timings to help reduce deleterious effects ofpressure on a process fluid.

In addition to the dispense cycle, pump 25 may perform other operations.When a new filter is connected to a pump, the filter should be primed sothat the filter membrane is fully wetted prior to running a dispensecycle. FIG. 5 provides an illustrative example of steps for a primingroutine, however other priming routines can be used as would beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art. In step 205 fluid isintroduced into the dispense chamber. In the next step, the filter canbe vented as described above for a period of time to remove air from theupstream portion of the filter (step 210). Next, a purge-to-vent segmentcan occur (step 215). In this segment, the isolate and purge valves areopened and the barrier valve is closed. The dispense motor is run sothat fluid flows out of the dispense chamber and through the vent. Thiscan be followed by a filtration segment (step 216), a vent segment (step217) and a purge segment (step 218). In the next segment, the filter canbe pressurized (step 220). The barrier valve and vent valve can beclosed, while the isolate valve is opened and the feed stage motor movedto pressurize the fluid. Next, a forward flush segment can occur inwhich fluid is run through the filter to the dispense chamber and purgedout the purge valve (step 225). A purge-to-vent segment can occur again(step 230). The priming routine can be repeated as needed or desired.

While the foregoing provides an example priming routine, the primingroutine can involve any number of different steps and to ensure that thefilter membrane is fully wetted. Some non-limiting examples of sequencesof segments that can be used in a priming routine include, but are notlimited to: I) a fill segment, a vent segment; ii) a fill segment, apurge to vent segment, a filtration segment, a vent segment, a purge toinlet segment; iii) a dispense segment, a fill segment, a filtrationsegment and a purge segment. Additional or alternative segments can beused in priming routines as needed or desired.

FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of pump 25having a pump main body 300 and a manifold 325. Pump 25 can include adispense block 305 that at least partially defines the fill chamber,dispense chamber and portions of flow passages described above inconjunction with FIG. 2. Dispense block 305, according to oneembodiment, can be a unitary block of PTFE, modified PTFE or othermaterial. Because these materials do not react with or are minimallyreactive with many process fluids, the use of these materials allowsflow passages and pump chambers to be machined directly into dispenseblock 305 with a minimum of additional hardware.

Dispense block 305 can include various external inlets and outletsincluding, for example, inlet 310 through which the fluid is receivedand dispense outlet 315 through which fluid is dispensed during thedispense segment. Dispense block 305, in the example of FIG. 6A, doesnot include an external purge outlet as purged fluid can be routed backto the feed chamber. In other embodiments, however, fluid can be purgedexternally.

A valve plate 320 can work in cooperation with dispense block 305 toform some or all of the valves of pump 25. One embodiment of a valveplate is illustrated in FIG. 8 below. In other embodiments, some or allof the valves can be external.

A cover 322 provides protection for various components of pump 25,including feed motor 175 and dispense motor 200. Cover 322 can alsoprovide protection for pistons, pump controller 20, fluid lines,pneumatic lines and other components.

A manifold 325 provides a connection for filter 35. Filter 35 canconnect to manifold 325 using any suitable mechanism, including, but notlimited to the filter connections described in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/741,667, entitled “O-RING-LESS LOW PROFILE FITTINGAND ASSEMBLY THEREOF” by Inventor Gashgaee, filed Dec. 2, 2005; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/602,513, entitled “O-RING-LESS LOWPROFILE FITTINGS AND FITTING ASSEMBLIES” by Inventor Gashgaee, filedNov. 20, 2006 now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,547,049 on Jun. 16, 2009;which are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. Flow passagesin manifold 325 can connect internally or externally to flow passages indispense block 305. Manifold 325 can include an integrated tag reader 50that is positioned to read a filter information tag on the filter.

According to one embodiment, an outlet 330 from dispense block 305 canbe in fluid communication with an inlet 335 on manifold 325 and anoutlet 340 from manifold 325 can be in fluid communication with an inlet345 on dispense block 305 to complete a flow path for filter 35connected to manifold 325. In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, manifold 325can include a vent outlet 350 that can be in fluid communication with anexternal vent valve. Manifold 325 and the pump main body 300 can includeconnections 355 and 360 to allow integrated tag reader 50 toelectrically connect to the pump controller.

Pump 25 can also include inlet 365 and outlet 370 that can connect tovacuum and pressure sources. According to one embodiment, selectiveapplication of vacuum or pressure can be used to open and close variousvalves defined by valve plate 320. FIG. 6B illustrates that pump 25 caninclude connections 375 for various communications links and power.Connections 375, according to one embodiment, can be configured so thatpump 25 can hook into existing electrical tracks for pumps.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of filter 35connected to manifold 325. Manifold 325 can include a quick changemechanism 377 for filters to allow filters to be easily connected to orremoved from manifold 325. Any quick change mechanism or other mechanismknown or developed in the art for connecting a filter 35 to manifold 325or to otherwise connect filter 35 to the pump can be used. Oneembodiment of a connection mechanism for a filter is described in PCTPatent Applicant No. US2008/082289 (Publication No. 2009/059324), filedNov. 3, 2008, entitled “O-Ringless Seal Couplings”, by Towle et al.which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/985,103,which are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. According toone embodiment, filter 35 can include a bowl 380 and head 387. Bowl 380can be shaped to accommodate a filter cartridge and head 387 can beshaped to accommodate a quick change mechanism of manifold 325. Tagreader 50 is positioned to read a filter information tag attached to orembedded in filter 35.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of filter 35. Head 387 can include anoutlet port 389, vent port 390 and inlet port 392 that are sized andshaped to complement ports on manifold 325. O-rings can be disposed inoutlet port 389, vent port 390 and inlet port 392 to prevent leaks.According to one embodiment, head 387 can include a filter informationtag 40. For example, a RFID, Bluetooth, IR, other wireless protocol orother identification device can be placed on filter 35. Theidentification device can include manufacturer information about thefilter (type of filter, retention rating, protocol for running thefilter (by way of example, but not limitation, recipe variables,parameters, equations, curves for operations using the filter),priming/filling sequence for the filter pressure drop characteristics,flow rate, pore size or other information). Head 387 can be shaped andsized to allow insertion into a quick change out device of a pump. Forease of installation, head 387 can include a handle portion 395 that caninclude features to ease gripping by a robot or human. While filterinformation tag 40 is illustrated as attached to the side of filter 35,filter information tag 40 can also be coupled to filter 35 in othermanners. For example, filter information tag 40 can be press fit in atag receiving portion of bowl 380 or head 387. In other embodiment,filter information tag 40 can be embedded in material that forms head387 or bowl 387. Filter information tag can be otherwise coupled tofilter 35.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a valveassembly comprising dispense block 305 and valve plate 320 to form avalve 400. Valve plate 320 can provide a valve housing for a system ofvalves including one or more of inlet valve 125, isolation valve 130,barrier valve 135 and purge valve 140. According to one embodiment, eachvalve is at least partially integrated into valve plate 320 and is adiaphragm valve that is either opened or closed depending on whetherpressure or vacuum is applied to the corresponding diaphragm. In otherembodiments, some of the valves may be external to dispense block 305,arranged in additional valve plates or otherwise provided.

According to one embodiment, a sheet of material 405 is sandwichedbetween valve plate 320 and dispense block 305 to form the diaphragms ofthe various valves. According to one embodiment material 305 can be asheet of PTFE or other flexible material. Valve plate 320 forms a valveseat 410 into which material 405 can move. According to one embodiment,valve seat 410 has a shape to which material 405 can contour withoutleaving dead space. An O-ring 415 can be disposed in an annular groove420 around the edge of each valve. O-ring 415 can be disposed on thevalve plate side, dispense block side or O-rings can be disposed on bothsides. Fluid can flow into and out of valve 400 through fluid flowpassage 425 and 430. Flow passages 425 and 430 can be placed and sizedas needed or desired. According to one embodiment, valve plate 320 canbe configured to reduce the hold-up volume of the valve, eliminatevolume variations due to vacuum fluctuations, reduce vacuum requirementsand reduce stress on the valve diaphragm. Example valve configurationsare described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/602,464 entitled“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A PUMP WITH REDUCED FORM FACTOR” by inventorsCedrone et al, filed Nov. 20, 2006; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/218,325 entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HIGH VISCOSITY PUMP” byinventors Cedrone et al, filed Jul. 14, 2008; which are hereby fullyincorporated by reference herein

Valve plate 320 can include a valve control inlet 435 for each valve toapply pressure or vacuum to the corresponding diaphragm or portion of adiaphragm. By the selective application of pressure or vacuum to theinlets, the corresponding valves are opened and closed so that fluidflow from inlet 425 to outlet 430 is restricted or allowed. According toone embodiment, the application of pressure or vacuum can be regulatedby a solenoid valve 440 that either opens valve control supply line 445to pressure from a pressure source 450 or vacuum from a vacuum source455.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of pump 25and connections to other components. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, pump25 includes an on-board pump controller that can be connected to pumptrack 460. Pump track 460 can allow multiple pumps to be set up in acompact space and can provide connections for I/O signals (representedat 465), serial communications (represented at 470) and electricalconnections (represented at 475). Track 460 can also provide pneumaticconnections for pressure/vacuum used to open and close valves(represented at 480).

The inlet of pump 25 can be connected to a fluid supply, such as resistbottle or other fluid supply 15. The output of pump 25 can be connectedto a stop and suckback valve between the outlet of pump 25 and thewafer. Pump 25 can include internal or external fluid connections(represented at 495) between manifold 325 and other portions of pump 25.Additionally, pump 25 can include electrical connections (represented at497) between the tag reader of manifold 325 and the pump controller orother electronics of pump 25.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a systemfor controlling the operation of pump 25. Pump controller 20 can beonboard pump 25 or connected to pump 25 via one or more communicationslinks for communicating control signals, data or other information. Pumpcontroller 20 can be implemented as an onboard PCB board, remotecontroller or in other suitable manner. Additionally, the functionalityof pump controller 20 can be distributed between an onboard controllerand another controller.

According to one embodiment, pump controller 20 can include a computerreadable medium 55 (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, optical disk, magneticdrive or other computer readable medium) containing a set of controlinstructions 60 for controlling the operation of multi-stage pump 20. Aprocessor 65 (e.g., CPU, ASIC, RISC, DSP or other processor) can executethe instructions. One example of a processor is the Texas InstrumentsTMS320F2812PGFA 16-bit DSP (Texas Instruments is Dallas, Tex. basedcompany). In another embodiment, instructions 60 can be implemented ashardware. Additionally, pump controller 20 can include a variety ofcomputer components known in the art including additional processors,memories, interfaces, display devices, peripherals or other computercomponents not shown for the sake of simplicity.

A set of interfaces 70 can allow pump controller 20 to communicateserial, parallel or analog data/signals to motors, valves or othercomponents and receive data/signals from sensors, tag reader 50,controllers or other components of pump 25. For example, pump controller20 can send signals to feed motor 175 (see FIG. 2), dispense motor 200(see FIG. 2), solenoids to control solenoid valves 840 (see FIG. 9) andother components of pump 25. Pump controller 20 can generate signals todirectly control components or can generate signals that are interpretedby valve, motor or other controllers to operate components of pump 25.Pump controller 20 can also receive analog or digital signals fromsensors, such as pressure sensor 112 (see FIG. 2), tag reader 50 andother components of pump 25. Interfaces 70 can include analog anddigital interfaces as needed and there may be additional componentsbetween interfaces 70 and processor 65, such as, but not limited to,analog to digital converters, filters and other signal processingcomponents.

According to one embodiment, pump controller 20 can also include aninterface 80 to connect to a pump management system. Interface 80 canallow pump controller 20 to connect to a network (e.g., Ethernet,wireless network, global area network, DeviceNet network or othernetwork known or developed in the art), a bus (e.g., SCSI bus) or othercommunications link. An I/O interface connector as described in U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/741,657, entitled “I/O INTERFACESYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A PUMP,” by Cedrone et al., filed Dec. 2, 2005;and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/602,449, entitled “I/O SYSTEMS,METHODS AND DEVICES FOR INTERFACING A PUMP CONTROLLER,” by Cedrone etal., filed Nov. 20, 2006, which are hereby fully incorporated byreference herein, can be used to connect pump controller 20 to a varietyof interfaces and manufacturing tools.

Pump controller 20 can connect to a pump management system 85 that canprovide instructions to pump controller 20 on the operation of pump 25.Pump management system 85 can be a computer or network of computers thatconnect to pump controller 20 to provide dispense recipes or otherinformation to pump controller 20. Pump management system 85 can alsocollect operational data from pump controller 20. Pump management system85 can connect to multiple pumps to provide centralized control and datacollection. According to one embodiment, pump management system 85 canmaintain a data repository 90 of operational data 97 collected from anumber of pumps. Data repository can be a database, file system or otherdata storage system.

In operation, pump controller 20 can receive filter information 45 fromtag reader 50. Pump controller 20 can execute instructions 60 to analyzeinformation 45 and determine whether or how to operate pump 25.According to one embodiment, pump controller 20 can apply rules toinformation 45. As one example, pump controller 20 can compareinformation 45 to stored information 95 to determine whether to operatethe pump. By way of example, but not limitation, this can includecomparing a part number to an expected part number to determine if thefilter is acceptable to be used with pump 25. Additionally, if thefilter is acceptable, pump controller 20 can determine how to operatepump 25 based on filter information 45. In another embodiment, pumpcontroller 20 can send filter information 45 to pump management system85 and pump management system 85 can apply rules to determine whether orhow to operate pump 25.

Stored information 95 can be provided to pump controller 20 through auser interface, by pump management system 85 or other can be otherwiseprovided. In one embodiment, pump controller 20 can store information 95from a particular filter. If, for example, it is known that the firstfilter used with pump 25 is the proper filter, pump controller 20 canstore filter information 45 from this filter as stored information 95.

Pump controller 20 can also store operational data 97 and correlate theoperational data 97 to filter information 45. In another embodiment,pump controller 20 can forward operational data 97 to pump managementsystem 85 and pump management system 85 can correlate the operationaldata 97 to filter information 45.

Analysis of the operational data versus various filter characteristicscan be used to heuristically update the rules for determining whetherand how to operate pump 25. For example, pump controller 20 mayinitially apply a rule such that a filter having a particular partnumber is acceptable. However, if over time it is discovered thatfilters having that part number and a first range of membrane bubblepoints resulted in good dispense coatings, but filters having the samepart number and a second range of membrane bubble points resulted in anincreased number of bad dispense coatings, the pump controller 20 orpump management system 85 can update the rules such that pump controller20 will not operate with a filter having a membrane bubble point in thesecond range of membrane bubble points, even if the filter has anacceptable part number. Thus, analysis of data can be used to update thedecision making of pump controller 20 or pump management system 85.

According to one embodiment, filter information 45 can be used tooptimize the operation of pump 25. Pump controller 20 and/or pumpmanagement system 85 can maintain a library of operating routines 100.When filter information 45 is received, filter information and otherparameters for a dispense can be used to determine the appropriateoperating routine. For example, optimal operating routines can beempirically established for different filters and fluids and stored inlibrary 100. Using the kinematic viscosity, fluid type or otherparameter and at least some of filter information 45, pump controller 20or pump management system 85 can access library 100 and determine theoptimal operation of pump 25. Library 100 include a library of completedispense cycles or libraries of optimal segments of dispense cycles thatoptionally can be assembled into a complete dispense cycle. Library 100can also include routines for priming a filter or other pump operations.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a methodfor controlling the operation of a pump based on filter information.Various processing steps in FIG. 12 can be performed by pump controller20, pump management system 85 or other device. When a new filter isconnected to a pump (step 505), an electronic tag reader can read a setof filter information from the tag (step 510). A set of rules can beapplied to the filter information to determine if the filter isappropriate (step 515). The rules for determining whether a filter isappropriate can depend on the filter information and other factors, suchas the process fluid, environmental properties, required cycle time orother factors. For example, a rule may be applied such that, if theprocess fluid has a certain viscosity, a filter will only be consideredappropriate if it has a specific part number or certain part number andbubble point. Thus, the rules applied can depend on multiple pieces offilter information and other information. If the filter is not anappropriate filter, a corresponding action can be taken (step 520).Otherwise, operation of the pump can proceed (step 525).

According to one embodiment, a filter part number can be compared to anexpected or allowable part number to determine if the part numbermatches (step 515). If the part number matches, operation of the pumpcan proceed (step 525). If the part number does not match, the pumpcontroller (or other device) can determine that operation of the pumpshould not proceed (step 520). An alarm or notification can be generatedto notify a pump management system or human user that the filterconnected to the pump is not appropriate. The steps of FIG. 12 can berepeated as needed or desired.

If the filter is appropriate for a dispense operation, the filterinformation can be used to determine the operating routine of the pump.This can include determining the priming routine, the dispense cycle,particular segments of the priming routine or dispense cycle orotherwise determining how to operate the pump. According to oneembodiment, the optimal priming routine and dispense cycle for thefilter and fluid/fluid property combination can be determined.

In general, it is desirable to minimize the amount of time needed forpriming and to run a dispense cycle. The type, number and length ofsegments in the dispense cycle and priming routine can depend on thecharacteristics of the filter being used, the dispense fluid and otherfactors. Embodiments can include a library of operating routines thatspecify optimal operating routines.

The operating routines can include multiple segments or single segmentsthat may be used in a larger cycle. Thus, the operating routines in thelibrary may specify the entire operation of the pump or may only specifya portion of a pump cycle. The pump can be operated according to thespecified operating routine.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a methodfor optimizing priming of a pump. Various processing steps in FIG. 13can be performed by pump controller 20, pump management system 85 orother device. Filter information and fluid properties are gathered(steps 605 and 607). This can include, for example, receiving filterinformation stored on an electronically readable tag on the filter.Additional information that can be collected may include recipeinformation, a desired cycle time or other information. Using the filterinformation, fluid information and/or other information, a primingroutine can be selected from a library of priming routines (step 610).By way of example, but not limitation, the library can specify that, for10 nm Symmetric UPE filter for IPA, the priming routine of FIG. 5 shouldbe used and that the optimum vent time cycle count is 5, the optimumpurge to vent time cycle count is 7, the filter should be pressurized to20 psi for 5 minutes and that after pressurization, a forward flushoperation should occur followed by purge to vent. The optimal primingroutine may also include repeating the routine or particular steps inthe routine multiple times.

If pump management system 85 determines the optimal priming routine ofthe pump, pump management system 85 can provide the informationnecessary to pump controller 20 to implement the priming routine. Afterreceiving the information for the priming routine (or after pumpcontroller 20 determines the priming routine from the library), pumpcontroller 20 can implement the priming routine (step 615).

The priming routine can be monitored (step 620) and adjusted (step 625).According to one embodiment, the priming routine can be adjusted by pumpcontroller 20 on the fly. For example, the priming routine for aparticular filter part number may specify a maximum pressure used duringpriming. However, the filter device flow may indicate that theindividual filter can operate at a higher pressure. The pump controller20 can adjust the priming routine to use a higher pressure and,therefore, prime in a shorter time. In another example, pump controller20 may determine that the pressure during the priming routine isexceeding the pressure that should be expected during the primingroutine. Pump controller 20 can slow the priming routine for thatfilter. Pump controller 20 may otherwise adjust the operation of thepump based on monitoring the operation of the pump and the filterinformation. Priming can continue until priming is complete or otherwiseterminated (step 630). The steps of FIG. 13 can be repeated as needed ordesired.

The dispense cycle or particular segments of the pump dispense cyclealso can be optimized. FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of oneembodiment of a method for optimizing the dispense cycle of a pump.Various processing steps in FIG. 14 can be performed by pump controller20, pump management system 85 or other device. According to oneembodiment, filter information and fluid properties are gathered (steps705 and 707). This can include, for example, receiving filterinformation stored on an electronically readable tag on the filter.Other information that can be collected can include recipe information,cycle times or other information. Using the filter information, fluidinformation and/or other information the appropriate dispense cycle orportions of the dispense cycle can be determined from a library ofoperating routines (step 710). By way of example, but not limitation,the library may specify an optimal filtration routine that includesfiltration and vent segments. Given the fluid properties, filterinformation or other information, the optimal filtration and venttimings for a dispense cycle can be determined. Thus, for example, for a10 nm Symmetric UPE Filter and IPA, the library may specify that thepump should use its default venting segment, the filtration rate shouldbe 0.3 mL/s, the filtration pressure should be 6 psi and the filtrationsegment should last 40 seconds. At step 715, pump controller 20 canimplement the dispense cycle using the specified filtration routine.

According to one embodiment, the dispense cycle can be monitored (step720). Based on the filter information and monitoring, the dispense cyclecan be adjusted by pump controller 20 on the fly (step 725). Forexample, if the pressure during the dispense cycle begins to exceed thepressure allowable based on the device flow of the filter, this mayindicate the filter is beginning to clog. The pump controller 20 canadjust the dispense cycle to decrease the pressure exerted by the pump.Pump controller 20 may otherwise adjust the operation of the pump basedon monitoring the operation of the pump and the filter information. Thedispense cycle can continue until the dispense cycle is complete (step730) or otherwise terminated. The steps of FIG. 14 can be repeated asneeded or desired.

In addition to affecting the operation of a pump, the pump informationcan be used to improve filter design. FIG. 15 is a flow chart of oneembodiment of a method identifying desirable filters. The steps of FIG.15 can be implemented through execution of computer readable code by aprocessor. According to one embodiment, various steps of FIG. 15 can beimplemented by pump controller 20, pump management system 85 or othersystem.

As described above, operational data can be collected by pumps can bestored in a data repository (step 805). Additionally, filter informationcan be collected (step 810). The operational data can be correlated tofilter information (step 815). The data can be analyzed (step 820) andcharacteristics of filters that may have resulted in good or baddispenses can be identified (step 825). For example, if multiple baddispenses resulted when filters of a particular lot were used, that lotcan be identified as bad. If bad dispenses occurred when filters havingbubble points of a particular amount were used, filters having thatbubble point can be identified as bad. This information can be used toupdate the rules applied to filter information (step 830). Thisinformation can also be provided to the filter manufacturer so that thefilter manufacturer can improve the filter design. The steps of FIG. 15can be repeated as needed or desired.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a set ofcode 900 that can be distributed across multiple computers or run on asingle computer. Code 900 can include filter information receiving code905 that can receive filter information from a tag reader, through auser interface, over a communication link or otherwise receive filterinformation. Similarly code 900 can include fluid information receivingcode 910 that can receive fluid information through a user interface,over a communication link or otherwise receive fluid information. Code900 can further include operational data receiving code 915 that canreceive operational data from sensors in a pump, receive operationaldata over a communications link from a pump or otherwise receive theoperational data. Rules application code 920 can apply rules to thefilter information to determine whether or how to operate a pump. Pumpoperation code 925 can operate the pump based on the output of rulesapplication code 920 or take other specified action.

Priming routine determination code 930 can access a library of primingroutines to determine an appropriate priming routine for the pump. Pumpoperation code 935 can operate the pump according to the priming routinedetermined by code 930. Priming monitoring code 940 can monitor theoperational data of the pump during priming to determine whether toadjust the operation of the pump and priming adjustment code 945 canadjust the priming routine. Pump operation code 935 can operate the pumpin accordance with the adjusted priming routine determine by primingadjustment code 945.

Dispense segment determination code 950 can access a library of dispensecycles or portions of a dispense cycle to determine how to operate thepump during priming. Pump operation code 955 can operate the pumpaccording to the dispense cycle or dispense cycle segments determined bycode 950. Dispense cycle monitoring code 955 can monitor the operationaldata of the pump during the dispense cycle to determine whether toadjust the operation of the pump and dispense cycle adjustment code 960can adjust the dispense cycle. Pump operation code 965 can operate thepump in accordance with the adjusted dispense cycle or dispense cyclesegment determine by dispense cycle adjustment code 965.

Data correlation code 970 can correlate operational data to filterinformation. Data analysis code can analyze the correlated data toidentify filter characteristics that correspond to good and baddispenses. Rules adjustment code 980 can adjust the rules applied byrules application code 920 based on the results of data analysis by code975.

It should be noted that the code modules illustrated in FIG. 16 can beimplemented as a monolithic program, any number of separate programs,functions of a program, functions of multiple programs or otherwiseimplemented according to a suitable software architecture andprogramming language. The functionality of code 900 can be distributedbetween multiple devices including, but not limited, a pump managementsystem and a pump controller. Additionally, all or some of thefunctionality can be implemented as hardware or firmware.

FIG. 17 is a graph providing example data for a pump. The tests of FIG.17 were run with an Entegris IntelliGen Mini two-stage dispense pumpusing an Impact 2 Version 2 10 nm, Symmetric Filter (IntelliGen is atrademark of Engtegris, Inc. of Chaska, Minn.). The chemical EthylLactate was dispensed through a PMS SO₂ particle counter. The x-axis istime and the y-axis is particle testing. Through empirical testing, anoptimal priming routine was determined for the combination of filter andfluid. The optimal priming routine is represented by line 1000, adefault pump priming routine is represented by line 1005 and a standard“fast-fill” priming routine is represented by line 1010. As can be seenfrom the graph of FIG. 17, the optimal priming routine results in thefilter being primed in a shorter amount of time. By maintaining alibrary of optimal priming routines for other filter/fluid combinationsin a library, the pump controller or other device can automaticallydetermine the best priming routine to use, thereby reducing the timeneeded for priming.

While various embodiments have been described in the context of a filterused in a liquid dispense pump, the present disclosure is not limited tosuch embodiments. For example, filter information tags can be used tostore filter information on any type of filter. The filter informationcan be read by a tag reader and used to make a determination of whetheror how to operate a device or system in which the filter is being used.For example, filter information tags can be used for filters in gaspurification processes or other applications.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,product, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, article, orapparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refersto an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a conditionA or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present)and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B istrue (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

Additionally, any examples or illustrations given herein are not to beregarded in any way as restrictions on, limits to, or expressdefinitions of, any term or terms with which they are utilized. Insteadthese examples or illustrations are to be regarded as being describedwith respect to one particular embodiment and as illustrative only.Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any term orterms with which these examples or illustrations are utilized encompassother embodiments as well as implementations and adaptations thereofwhich may or may not be given therewith or elsewhere in thespecification and all such embodiments are intended to be includedwithin the scope of that term or terms. Language designating suchnon-limiting examples and illustrations includes, but is not limited to:“for example,” “for instance,” “e.g.,” “in one embodiment,” and thelike.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the general manner of carrying out the disclosure. For example,while the foregoing primarily uses the example of a multi-stage pump,embodiments described herein can also be used with a single stage pumpor other pumps. It is to be understood that the forms of the disclosureshown and described herein are to be taken as the presently preferredembodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for thoseillustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed,and certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently,all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having thebenefit of this description of the disclosure. Changes may be made inthe elements described herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure as described in the following claims.

1. A pump comprising: one or more motors to draw fluid into an inlet ofthe pump and dispense fluid from an outlet of the pump; a removablefilter disposed between in a fluid flow path between the pump inlet andthe pump outlet; a pump controller configured to: receive filterinformation; receive process fluid information; access a library ofoperating routines based on the filter information and a process fluidto select an operating routine for the pump; operate the pump accordingto the selected operating routine.
 2. The pump of claim 1, wherein theremovable filter has an electronic tag storing filter information andthe pump further comprises an electronic tag reader positioned andconfigured to read the filter information from the electronic tag. 3.The pump of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag reader comprises an RFIDreader.
 4. The pump of claim 1, wherein the filter information comprisesa part number.
 5. The pump of claim 1, wherein the filter informationcomprises information specific to an individual removable filter.
 6. Thepump of claim 1, wherein the selected operating routine comprises apriming routine.
 7. The pump of claim 1, wherein the pump controller isfurther configured to monitor operation of the pump during the primingroutine and adjust operation of the pump based on information specificto the removable filter included in the filter information.
 8. The pumpof claim 1, wherein the selected operating routine comprises afiltration routine.
 9. The pump of claim 8, wherein the pump controlleris further configured to monitor operation of the pump during thefiltration routine and adjust operation of the pump based on informationspecific to the individual filter included the filter information.
 10. Apump system comprising: a pump comprising: one or more motors to drawfluid into an inlet of the pump and dispense fluid from an outlet of thepump; a removable filter in a fluid flow path between the pump inlet andpump outlet; an electronic tag reader positioned and configured to readthe filter information from the electronic tag; a pump controllercoupled to the electronic tag reader, the pump controller configured to:receive filter information from the electronic tag reader; communicatethe filter information over a communications link; and control operationof the pump to dispense a fluid; a pump management system configured to:receive the filter information from the pump; access a library ofoperating routines based on the filter information and a process fluidinformation to select an operating routine for the pump; and communicatethe selected operating routine to the pump controller.
 11. The pumpsystem of claim 10, wherein the electronic tag reader comprises an RFIDreader.
 12. The pump system of claim 10, wherein the filter informationcomprises a part number.
 13. The pump system of claim 10, wherein thefilter information comprises information specific to an individualremovable filter.
 14. The pump system of claim 10, wherein the selectedoperating routine comprises a priming routine.
 15. The pump system ofclaim 14, wherein the pump controller is further configured to monitoroperation of the pump during the priming routine and adjust the primingroutine based on information specific to the removable filter includedin the filter information.
 16. The pump system of claim 10, wherein theoperating routine comprises a filtration routine.
 17. The pump system ofclaim 16, wherein the pump controller is further configured to monitoroperation of the pump during the filtration routine and adjust operationof the pump based on information specific to the removable filterincluded the filter information.
 18. A method for controlling operationof a pump comprising: connecting a removable filter to a pump, whereinthe removable filter has an electronic tag storing filter information;receiving the filter information for the removable filter from theelectronic tag using an electronic tag reader; accessing a library ofoperating routines based on the filter information and a fluid propertyof a process fluid to select an operating routine for the removablefilter and process fluid; and operating the pump according to theselected operating routine.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theselected operating routine comprises an optimal priming routine.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the selected operating routine comprises anoptimal filtration routine.